Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
AWAY IN THE WILDERNESS, BY R.M. BALLANTYNE.
CHAPTER ONE.
THE HUNTER.
On a beautiful summer evening, not many years ago, a man was seen to
ascend the side of a little mound or hillock, on the top of which he
lingered to gaze upon the wild scenery that lay stretched out before
him.
The man wore the leathern coat and leggings of a North American hunter,
or trapper, or backwoodsman; and well did he deserve all these titles,
for Jasper Derry was known to his friends as the best hunter, the most
successful trapper, and the boldest man in the backwoods.
Jasper was big and strong as well as bold, but he was not a bully. Men
of true courage are in general peacefully disposed. Jasper could fight
like a lion when there was occasion to do so; but he was gentle and
grave, and quiet by nature. He was also extremely good-humoured; had a
low soft voice, and, both in mind and body, seemed to delight in a state
of repose.
We have said that his coat was made of leather; the moccasins or Indian
shoes on his feet were made of the same material. When Jasper first put
them on they were soft like a glove of chamois leather, and bright
yellow; but hard service had turned them into a dirty brown, which
looked more business like. The sun had burned his face and hands to as
deep a brown as his coat. On his head he wore a little round cap, which
he had made with his own hands, after having caught the black fox that
supplied the fur, in one of his own traps. A coloured worsted belt
bound his coat round his waist, and beneath the coat he wore a scarlet
flannel shirt. A long knife and a small hatchet were stuck in the belt
at his back, and in front hung a small cloth bag, which was so thickly
ornamented with beads of many colours, that little of the cloth could be
seen.
This last was a fire-bag--so called because it contained the flint,
steel, and tinder required for making a fire. It also contained
Jasper's pipe and tobacco--for he smoked, as a matter of course. Men
smoke everywhere--more's the pity--and Jasper followed the example of
those around him. Smoking was almost his only fault. He was a
tremendous smoker. Often, when out of tobacco, he had smoked tea.
Frequently he had tried bark and dried leaves; and once, when hard
pressed, he had smoked oakum. He would rather have gone without his
supper than without his pipe! A powder-horn and shot pouch were slung
over his shoulders by two cross belts, and he carried a long
single-barrelled gun.
I have been thus particular in describing Jasper Derry, because he is
our hero, and he is worth describing, being a fine, hearty, handsome
fellow, who cared as little for a wild Indian or a grizzly bear as he
did for a butterfly, and who was one of the best of companions, as he
was one of the best of hunters, in the wilderness.
Having gained the top of the hillock, Jasper placed the butt of his long
gun on the ground, and, crossing his hands over the muzzle, stood there
for some time so motionless, that he might have been mistaken for a
statue. A magnificent country was spread out before him. Just in front
lay a clear lake of about a mile in extent, and the evening was so still
that every tree, stone, and bush on its margin, was reflected as in a
mirror. Here, hundreds of wild ducks and wild geese were feeding among
the sedges of the bays, or flying to and fro mingling their cries with
those of thousands of plover and other kinds of water-fowl that
inhabited the place. At the lower end of this lake a small rivulet was
seen to issue forth and wind its way through woods and plains like a
silver thread, until it was lost to view in the far distance. On the
right and left and behind, the earth was covered with the dense foliage
of the wild woods.
The hillock on which the western hunter stood, lay in the very heart of
that great uncultivated wilderness which forms part of the British
possessions in North America. This region lies to the north of the
Canadas, is nearly as large as all Europe, and goes by the name of the
Hudson's Bay Territory, or Rupert's Land.
It had taken Jasper many long weeks of hard travel by land and water, in
canoes and on foot, to get there; and several weeks of toil still lay
before him, ere he could attain the object, for which his journey had
been undertaken.
Wicked people say that "woman is at the bottom of all mischief!" Did it
never occur to these same wicked individuals, that woman is just as much
at the bottom of all good? Whether for good or for evil, woman was at
the bottom of Jasper Perry's heart and affairs. The cause of his
journey was love; the aim and end of it was marriage! Did true love
ever run smooth? "No, never," says the proverb. We shall see.
CHAPTER TWO.
THE THREE FRIENDS.
When the hunter had stood for full five minutes gazing at the beautiful
scenery by which he was surrounded, it suddenly occurred to him that a
pipe would render him much more capable of enjoying it; so he sat down
on the trunk of a fallen tree, leaned his gun on it, pulled the fire-bag
from his belt, and began to fill his pipe, which was one of the kind
used by the savages of the country, with a stone head and a wooden stem.
It was soon lighted, and Jasper was thinking how much more clear and
beautiful a landscape looked through tobacco smoke, when a hand was laid
lightly on his shoulder. Looking quickly round, he beheld a tall
dark-faced Indian standing by his side.
Jasper betrayed neither alarm nor surprise; for the youth was his own
comrade, who had merely come to tell him that the canoe in which they
had been travelling together, and which had been slightly damaged, was
repaired and ready for service.
"Why, Arrowhead, you steal on me with the soft tread of a fox. My ears
are not dull, yet I did not hear your approach, lad."
A smile lighted up the countenance of the young Indian for a moment, as
he listened to a compliment which gratified him much; but the grave
expression which was natural to him instantly returned, as he said,
"Arrowhead has hunted in the Rocky Mountains where the men are
treacherous; he has learned to tread lightly there."
"No doubt, ye had need to be always on the look out where there are such
varmints; but hereaway, Arrowhead, there are no foes to fear, and
therefore no need to take yer friends by surprise. But ye're proud o'
your gifts, lad, an' I suppose it's natural to like to show them off.
Is the canoe ready?"
The Indian replied by a nod.
"That's well, lad, it will be sun-down in another hour, an' I would like
to camp on the point of pines to-night; so come along."
"Hist!" exclaimed the Indian, pointing to a flock of geese which came
into view at that moment.
"Ah! you come of a masterful race," said Jasper, shaking his head
gravely, "you're never content when ye've got enough, but must always be
killing God's creatures right and left for pure sport. Haven't we got
one grey goose already for supper, an' that's enough for two men surely.
Of course I make no account o' the artist, poor cratur', for he eats
next to nothin'. Hows'ever, as your appetite may be sharper set than
usual, I've no objection to bring down another for ye."
So saying the hunter and the Indian crouched behind a bush, and the
former, while he cocked his gun and examined the priming, gave utterance
to a series of cries so loud and discordant, that any one who was
ignorant of a hunter's ways must have thought he was anxious to drive
all the living creatures within six miles of him away in terror. Jasper
had no such wish, however. He was merely imitating the cry of the wild
geese. The birds, which were at first so far-off that a rifle-ball
could not have reached them, no sooner heard the cry of their friends
(as they doubtless thought it) than they turned out of their course, and
came gradually towards the bush where the two men lay hidden.
The hunter did not cease to cry until the birds were within gunshot.
Then he fixed his eye on one of the flock that seemed plump and fat.
The long barrel of the gun was quickly raised, the geese discovered
their mistake, and the whole flock were thrown into wild confusion as
they attempted to sheer off; but it was too late. Smoke and fire burst
from the bush, and an enormous grey goose fell with a heavy crash to the
ground.
"What have you shot? what have you shot?" cried a shrill and somewhat
weak voice in the distance. In another moment the owner of the voice
appeared, running eagerly towards the two men.
"Use your eyes, John Heywood, an' ye won't need to ask," said Jasper,
with a quiet smile, as he carefully reloaded his gun.
"Ah! I see--a grey swan--no, surely, it cannot be a goose?" said
Heywood, turning the bird over and regarding it with astonishment; "why,
this is the biggest one I ever did see."
"What's yon in the water? Deer, I do believe," cried Jasper, quickly
drawing the small shot from his gun and putting in a ball instead.
"Come, lads, we shall have venison for supper to-night. That beast
can't reach t'other side so soon as we can."
Jasper leaped quickly down the hill, and dashed through the bushes
towards the spot where their canoe lay. He was closely followed by his
companions, and in less than two minutes they were darting across the
lake in their little Indian canoe, which was made of birch-bark, and was
so light that one man could carry it easily.
While they are thus engaged I will introduce the reader to John Heywood.
This individual was a youth of nineteen or twenty years of age, who was
by profession a painter of landscapes and animals. He was tall and
slender in person, with straight black hair, a pale haggard-looking
face, an excitable nervous manner, and an enthusiastic temperament.
Being adventurous in his disposition, he had left his father's home in
Canada, and entreated his friend, Jasper Derry, to take him along with
him into the wilderness. At first Jasper was very unwilling to agree to
this request; because the young artist was utterly ignorant of
everything connected with a life in the woods, and he could neither use
a paddle nor a gun. But Heywood's father had done him some service at a
time when he was ill and in difficulties, so, as the youth was very
anxious to go, he resolved to repay this good turn of the father by
doing a kindness to the son.
Heywood turned out but a poor backwoodsman, but he proved to be a
pleasant, amusing companion, and as Jasper and the Indian were quite
sufficient for the management of the light canoe, and the good gun of
the former was more than sufficient to feed the party, it mattered
nothing to Jasper that Heywood spent most of his time seated in the
middle of the canoe, sketching the scenery as they went along. Still
less did it matter that Heywood missed everything he fired at, whether
it was close at hand or far away.
At first Jasper was disposed to look upon his young companion as a poor
useless creature; and the Indian regarded him with undisguised contempt.
But after they had been some time in his company, the opinions of these
two men of the woods changed; for they found that the artist was wise,
and well informed on many subjects of which they were extremely
ignorant; and they beheld with deep admiration the beautiful and
life-like drawings and paintings which he produced in rapid succession.
Such was the romantic youth who had, for the sake of seeing and painting
the wilderness, joined himself to these rough sons of the forest, and
who now sat in the centre of the canoe swaying his arms about and
shouting with excitement as they quickly drew near to the swimming herd
of deer.
"Keep yourself still," said Jasper, looking over his shoulder, "ye'll
upset the canoe if ye go on like that."
"Give me the axe, give me the axe, I'll kill him!" cried Heywood.
"Take your pencil and draw him," observed the hunter, with a quiet
laugh. "Now, Arrowhead, two good strokes of the paddle will do--there--
so."
As he spoke the canoe glanced up alongside of an affrighted deer, and in
the twinkling of an eye Jasper's long knife was in its heart, and the
water was dyed with blood. This happened quite near to the opposite
shore of the lake, so that in little more than half an hour after it was
killed the animal was cut up and packed, and the canoe was again
speeding towards the upper end of the lake, where the party arrived just
as night began to fling its dark mantle over the wilderness.
CHAPTER THREE.
THE ENCAMPMENT.
Camping out in the woods at night is truly a delightful thing, and the
pleasantest part of it, perhaps, is the lighting of the fire. Light is
agreeable to human eyes and cheering to the human heart. Solomon knew
and felt that when he penned the words, "A pleasant thing it is for the
eyes to behold the sun." And the rising of the sun is scarcely more
grateful to the feelings than the lighting of a fire on a dark night.
So our friends thought and felt, when the fire blazed up, but they were
too busy and too hungry at the time to think about the state of their
feelings.
The Indian was hungry. A good fire had to be made before the venison
could be roasted, so he gave his whole attention to the felling of dry
trees and cutting them up into logs for the fire. Jasper was also
hungry, and a slight shower had wetted all the moss and withered grass,
so he had enough to do to strike fire with flint and steel, catch a
spark on a little piece of tinder, and then blow and coax the spark into
a flame.
The artist was indeed free to indulge in a little meditation; but he had
stumbled in the dark on landing, and bruised his shins, so he could only
sit down on a rock and rub them and feel miserable.
But the fire soon caught; branches were heaped up, great logs were piled
on, forked tongues of flame began to leap up and lick the branches of
the overhanging trees. The green leaves looked rich and warm; the thick
stems looked red and hot; the faces and clothes of the men seemed as if
about to catch fire as they moved about the encampment preparing supper.
In short, the whole scene was so extremely comfortable, in reality as
well as in appearance, that Heywood forgot his bruised shins and began
to rub his hands with delight.
In a very short time three juicy venison-steaks were steaming before the
three travellers, and in a much shorter time they had disappeared
altogether and were replaced by three new ones. The mode of cooking was
very simple. Each steak was fixed on a piece of stick and set up before
the fire to roast. When one side was ready, the artist, who seemed to
have very little patience, began to cut off pieces and eat them while
the other side was cooking.
To say truth, men out in those regions have usually such good appetites
that they are not particular as to the cooking of their food. Quantity,
not quality, is what they desire. They generally feel very much like
the Russian, of whom it is said, that he would be content to eat sawdust
if only he _got_ _plenty_ _of_ _it_! The steaks were washed down with
tea. There is no other drink in Rupert's Land. The Hudson's Bay
Company found that spirits were so hurtful to the Indians that they
refused to send them into the country; and at the present day there is
no strong drink to be had for love or money over the length and breadth
of their territories, except at those places where other fur-traders
oppose them, and oblige them, in self-defence, to sell fire-water, as
the Indians call it.
Tea is the great--the only--drink in Rupert's Land! Yes, laugh as ye
will, ye lovers of gin and beer and whisky, one who has tried it, and
has seen it tried by hundreds of stout stalwart men, tells you that the
teetotaller is the best man for real hard work.
The three travellers drank their tea and smacked their lips, and grinned
at each other with great satisfaction. They could not have done more if
it had been the best of brandy and they the jolliest of topers! But the
height of their enjoyment was not reached until the pipes were lighted.
It was quite a sight to see them smoke! Jasper lay with his huge frame
extended in front of the blaze, puffing clouds of smoke thick enough to
have shamed a small cannon. Arrowhead rested his back on the stump of a
tree, stretched his feet towards the fire, and allowed the smoke to roll
slowly through his nostrils as well as out at his mouth, so that it kept
curling quietly round his nose, and up his cheeks, and into his eyes,
and through his hair in a most delightful manner; at least so it would
seem, for his reddish-brown face beamed with happy contentment.
Young Heywood did not smoke, but he drew forth his sketch-book and
sketched his two companions; and in the practice of his beloved art, I
have no doubt, he was happier than either.
"I wonder how many trading-posts the Hudson's Bay Company has got?" said
Heywood, as he went on with his work.
"Hundreds of 'em," said Jasper, pressing the red-hot tobacco into the
bowl of his pipe with the end of his little finger, as slowly and coolly
as if his flesh were fire-proof. "I don't know, exactly, how many
they've got. I doubt if anybody does, but they have them all over the
country. You've seen a little of the country now, Heywood; well, what
you have seen is very much like what you will see as long as you choose
to travel hereaway. You come to a small clearing in the forest, with
five or six log houses in it, a stockade round it, and a flagstaff in
the middle of it; five, ten, or fifteen men, and a gentleman in charge.
That's a Hudson's Bay Company's trading-post. All round it lie the wild
woods. Go through the woods for two or three hundred miles and you'll
come to another such post, or fort, as we sometimes call 'em. That's
how it is all the country over. Although there are many of them, the
country is so uncommon big that they may be said to be few and far
between. Some are bigger and some are less. There's scarcely a
settlement in the country worthy o' the name of a village except Red
River."
"Ah! Red River," exclaimed Heywood, "I've heard much of that
settlement--hold steady--I'm drawing your _nose_ just now--have you been
there, Jasper?"
"That have I, lad, and a fine place it is, extendin' fifty miles or more
along the river, with fine fields, and handsome houses, and churches,
and missionaries and schools, and what not; but the rest of Rupert's
Land is just what you have seen; no roads, no houses, no cultivated
fields--nothing but lakes, and rivers, and woods, and plains without
end, and a few Indians here and there, with plenty of wild beasts
everywhere. These trading-posts are scattered here and there, from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and from Canada to the Frozen Sea, standin'
solitary-like in the midst of the wilderness, as if they had dropped
down from the clouds by mistake and didn't know exactly what to do with
themselves."
"How long have de Company lived?" inquired Arrowhead, turning suddenly
to Jasper.
The stout hunter felt a little put out. "Ahem! I don't exactly know;
but it must have been a long time, no doubt."
"Oh, I can tell you that," cried Heywood.
"You?" said Jasper in surprise.
"Ay; the Company was started nearly two hundred years ago by Prince
Rupert, who was the first Governor, and that's the reason the country
came to be called Rupert's Land. You know its common name is `the
Hudson's Bay Territory,' because it surrounds Hudson's Bay."
"Why, where did you learn that?" said Jasper, "I thought I knowed a-most
everything about the Company; but I must confess I never knew that about
Prince Rupert before."
"I learned it from books," said the artist.
"Books!" exclaimed Jasper, "I never learned nothin' from books--more's
the pity. I git along well enough in the trappin' and shootin' way
without 'em; but I'm sorry I never learned to read. Ah! I've a great
opinion of books--so I have."
The worthy hunter shook his head solemnly as he said this in a low
voice, more to himself than to his companions, and he continued to
mutter and shake his head for some minutes, while he knocked the ashes
out of his pipe. Having refilled and relighted it, he drew his blanket
over his shoulder, laid his head upon a tuft of grass, and continued to
smoke until he fell asleep, and allowed the pipe to fall from his lips.
The Indian followed his example, with this difference, that he laid
aside his pipe, and drew the blanket over his head and under his feet,
and wrapped it round him in such a way that he resembled a man sewed up
in a sack.
Heywood was thus compelled to shut his sketch-book; so he also wrapped
himself in his blanket, and was soon sound asleep.
The camp-fire gradually sank low. Once or twice the end of a log fell,
sending up a bright flame and a shower of sparks, which, for a few
seconds, lighted up the scene again and revealed the three slumbering
figures. But at last the fire died out altogether, and left the
encampment in such thick darkness that the sharpest eye would have
failed to detect the presence of man in that distant part of the lone
wilderness.
CHAPTER FOUR.
MOSQUITOES--CAMP-FIRE TALK.
There is a certain fly in the American forests which is worthy of
notice, because it exercises a great influence over the happiness of man
in those regions. This fly is found in many other parts of the world,
but it swarms in immense numbers in America, particularly in the swampy
districts of that continent, and in the hot months of summer. It is
called a mosquito--pronounced _moskeeto_--and it is, perhaps, the most
tormenting, the most persevering, savage, vicious little monster on the
face of the earth. Other flies go to sleep at night; the mosquito never
does. Darkness puts down other flies--it seems to encourage the
mosquito. Day and night it persecutes man and beast, and the only time
of the twenty-four hours in which it seems to rest is about noon, when
the heat puts _it_ down for a little. But this period of rest
strengthens it for a renewal of war during the remainder of the day and
night. In form the mosquito very much resembles the gnat, but is
somewhat larger. This instrument of torture is his nose, which is quite
as long as his body, and sharper than the finest needle. Being unable
to rest because of the mosquitoes, Heywood resolved to have a chat.
"Come, Jasper," said he, looking up into his companion's grave
countenance, "although we have been many weeks on this journey now, you
have not yet told me what has brought you here, or what the end of your
trip is going to be."
"I've come here a-hunting," said Jasper, with the look and tone of a man
who did not wish to be questioned.
"Nay, now, I know that is not the reason," said Heywood, smiling; "you
could have hunted much nearer home, if you had been so minded, and to as
good purpose. Come, Jasper, you know I'm your friend, and that I wish
you well. Let me hear what has brought you so far into the wilderness--
mayhap I can give you some good advice if you do."
"Well, lad, I don't mind if I do. Though, for the matter of good
advice, I don't feel much in need of any just at this time."
Jasper shook the ashes out of his pipe, and refilled it as he spoke;
then he shook his head once or twice and smiled, as if his thoughts
amused him. Having lighted the pipe, he stretched himself out in a more
comfortable way before the blaze, and said--
"Well, lad, I'll tell ye what it is--it's the old story; the love of
woman has brought me here."
"And a very good old story it is," returned Heywood, with a look of
interest. "A poor miserable set of creatures we should be without that
same love of woman. Come, Jasper, I'm glad to hear you're such a
sensible fellow. I know something about that subject myself. There's a
pretty blue-eyed girl, with golden hair, down away in Canada that--"
Heywood stopped short in his speech and sighed.
"Come, it ain't a hopeless case, is it?" said Jasper, with a look of
sympathy.
"I rather fear it is; but I hope not. Ah, what should we do without
hope in this world?"
"That's true," observed Jasper, with much gravity, "we could not get on
at all without hope."
"But come, Jasper," said the artist, "let's hear about your affair, and
I'll tell you about mine some other time."
"Well, there is not much to tell, but I'll give ye all that's of it.
You must know, then, that about two years ago I was in the service of
the Hudson's Bay Company, at one o' their outposts in the McKenzie's
River district. We had little to eat there and little to do, and I felt
so lonesome, never seein' a human bein' except the four or five men at
the fort an' a few Indians, that I made up my mind to quit. I had no
reason to complain o' the Company, d'ye see. They always treated me
handsomely, and it was no fault o' theirs that the livin' in that
district was poor and the post lonesome.
"Well, on my way down to Lake Winnipeg, I fell in with a brigade o'
boats goin' to the Saskatchewan district, and we camped together that
night. One o' the guides of the Saskatchewan brigade had his daughter
with him. The guide was a French-Canadian, and his wife had been a
Scotch half-caste, so what the daughter was is more than I can tell; but
I know what she looked like. She just looked like an angel. It wasn't
so much that she was pretty, but she was so sweet, and so quiet lookin',
and so innocent! Well, to cut the matter short, I fell in love at once.
D'ye know what it is, Heywood, to fall in love at first sight?"
"Oh! don't I?" replied the artist with sudden energy.
"An' d'ye know," continued Jasper, "what it is to be
fallen-in-love-with, at first sight?"
"Well, no, I'm not so sure about that," replied Heywood sadly.
"I do, then," said Jasper, "for that sweet critter fell in love with me
right off--though what she saw in me to love has puzzled me much.
Howsoever, she did, and for that I'm thankful. Her name is Marie
Laroche. She and I opened our minds to each other that night, and I
took the guide, her father, into the woods, and told him I wanted his
daughter; and he was agreeable; but he would not hear of my takin' her
away then and there. He told me I must go down to Canada and get
settled, and when I had a house to put his daughter in, I was to come
back into the wilderness here and be married to her, and then take her
home--so here I am on my way to claim my bride. But there's one thing
that puzzles me sorely."
"What is that?" asked Heywood.
"I've never heard from Marie from that day to this," said Jasper.
"That is strange," replied the other; "but perhaps she cannot write."
"That's true. Now, you speak of it, I do believe she can't write a
line; but, then, she might have got some one to write for her."
"Did you leave your address with her?"
"How could I, when I had no address to leave?"
"But did you ever send it to her?"
"No, I never thought of that," said Jasper, opening his eyes very wide.
"Come, that's a comfort--that's a good reason for never havin' heard
from her. Thankee, lad, for putting me up to it. And, now, as we must
be up and away in another hour, I'll finish my nap."
So saying, Jasper put out his pipe and once more drew his blanket over
him. Heywood followed his example, and while he lay there gazing up at
the stars through the trees, he heard the worthy hunter muttering to
himself, "That's it; that accounts for my not hearin' from her."
A sigh followed the words, very soon a snore followed the sigh, and ere
many minutes had passed away, the encampment was again buried in
darkness and repose.
CHAPTER FIVE.
JOURNEYING IN THE WILDERNESS.
It seemed to Heywood that he had not been asleep more than five minutes,
when he was aroused by Jasper laying his heavy hand on his shoulder. On
rubbing his eyes and gazing round him, he found that the first streak of
dawn was visible in the eastern sky, that the canoe was already in the
water, and that his companions were ready to embark.
It is usually found that men are not disposed to talk at that early
hour. Heywood merely remarked that it was a fine morning, to which
Jasper replied by a nod of his head. Nothing more was said. The artist
rolled up his blanket in a piece of oiled-cloth, collected his drawing
materials and put them into their bag, got into his place in the centre
of the canoe, and immediately went to sleep, while Jasper and the
Indian, taking their places in the bow and stern, dipped the paddles
into the water and shot away from the shore. They looked mysterious and
ghostly in the dim morning light; and the whole scene around them looked
mysterious and ghostly too, for the water in the lake seemed black, and
the shores and islands looked like dark shadows, and a pale thin mist
rolled slowly over the surface of the water and hung overhead. No sound
was heard except the light plash of the paddles as the two backwoodsmen
urged their little canoe swiftly along.
By degrees the light of day increased, and Jasper awakened Heywood in
order that he might behold the beautiful scenery through which they
passed. They were now approaching the upper end of the lake, in which
there were innumerable islands of every shape and size--some of them not
more than a few yards in length, while some were two or three hundred
yards across, but all were clothed with the most beautiful green foliage
and shrubbery. As the pale yellow of the eastern sky began to grow red,
ducks and gulls bestirred themselves. Early risers among them first
began to chirp, and scream, and whistle their morning song,--for there
are lazy ones among the birds, just as there are among men. Sometimes,
when the canoe rounded a point of rocks a flock of geese were found
floating peacefully among the sedges, sound asleep, with their heads
under their wings. These would leap into the air and fly off in great
alarm, with much difficulty and tremendous splutter, reminding one of
the proverb, "The more haste the less speed." At other times they would
come upon a flock of ducks so suddenly, that they had no time to take
wing, so they dived instead, and thus got out of the way.
Then the yellow hue of sunrise came, a good while before the sun himself
rose. The last of the bright stars were put out by the flood of light,
and multitudes of little birds on shore began to chirp their morning
song; and who can say that this was not a hymn of praise to God, when,
in the Holy Bible itself, in the 150th Psalm, we find it written, "Let
everything that hath breath praise the Lord."
At last the sun burst forth in all his golden glory. Water, earth, and
sky glowed as if they had been set on fire. What a blessed influence
the sun has upon this world! It resembles the countenance of a loving
father beaming in upon his family, driving away clouds, and diffusing
warmth and joy.
The birds were now all astir together, insomuch that the air seemed
alive with them. There are small white gulls, with red legs and red
beaks, in those large inland lakes, just as there are on the ocean.
These began to utter their sweet wild cries so powerfully that they
almost drowned the noise of all the rest. Yet the united chorus of the
whole was not harsh. It was softened and mellowed by distance, and fell
on the ears of the two hunters as pleasantly as the finest music does in
the ears of men trained to sweet sounds from infancy.
Not until the sun had ascended a considerable way on its course through
the sky, did Jasper think it necessary to lay down his paddle. By that
time the upper end of the lake had been reached, and the hunter had run
the canoe close to a ledge of flat rock and jumped ashore, saying that
it was time for breakfast.
"I had almost got to believe I was in paradise," said Heywood, as he
stepped ashore.
"I often think there's a good deal of the garden of Eden still left in
this world," replied Jasper, as he carried the kettle up to the level
part of the rock and began to kindle a fire, while the Indian, as usual,
hewed the wood. "If we could only make use of God's gifts instead of
abusin' them, I do believe we might be very happy all our days."
"See there, Jasper, is one of the birds I want so much to get hold of.
I want to make a drawing of him. Would you object to spend a shot on
such game."
Heywood pointed as he spoke to a grey bird, about the size of a
blackbird, which sat on a branch close above his head. This creature is
called by the fur-traders a whisky-John, and it is one of the most
impudent little birds in the world! Wherever you go throughout the
country, there you find whisky-Johns ready to receive and welcome you,
as if they were the owners of the soil. They are perfectly fearless;
they will come and sit on a branch within a yard of your hand, when you
are eating, and look at you in the most inquisitive manner. If they
could speak, they could not say more plainly, "What have you got
there?--give me some!" If you leave the mouth of your provision sack
open they are sure to jump into it. When you are done eating they will
scarcely let you six yards away before they make a dash at the crumbs;
and if you throw sticks or stones at them, they will hop out of the way,
but they will not take to flight!
"It would be a pity to waste powder on them critters," said Jasper, "but
I'll catch one for you."
As he said this he took a few crumbs of broken meat from the bottom of
the provision sack and spread them on his right hand; then he lay down
under a bush, covered his face with a few leaves, and thrust out his
hand. Heywood and the Indian retired a few paces and stood still to
await the result.
In a few seconds a whisky-John came flying towards the open hand, and
alighted on a branch within a yard of it. Here he shook his feathers
and looked very bold, but suspicious, for a few minutes, turning first
one eye towards the hand, and then the other. After a little he hopped
on a branch still nearer, and, seeing no motion in the hand, he at last
hopped upon the palm and began to peck the crumbs. Instantly the
fingers closed, and Jasper caught him by the toes, whereupon the
whisky-John began to scream furiously with rage and terror. But I am
bound to say there was more of rage than of terror in his cry.
Jasper handed the passionate bird over to the artist, who tried to make
a portrait of him, but he screamed and pecked so fiercely that Heywood
was obliged to let him go after making a rough sketch.
Breakfast was a repetition of the supper of the night before; it was
soon disposed of, and the three travellers again set forth. This time
Jasper sang one of the beautiful canoe songs peculiar to that country,
and Heywood and Arrowhead, both of whom had good voices, joined in the
chorus.
They soon passed from the lake into the river by which it was fed. At
first the current of this river was sluggish; but as they ascended, it
became stronger, and was broken here and there by rapids.
The severe toil of travelling in the backwoods now began. To paddle on
a level lake all day is easy enough, for, when you get tired, you can
lay down the paddle and rest. But in the river this is impossible,
because of the current. The only way to get a rest is to push the bow
of the canoe ashore. It was a fine sight to see the movements of Jasper
and the Indian when they came to the first rapid. Heywood knew that he
could be of no use, so, like a wise man, he sat still and looked on.
The rapid was a very strong one, but there were no falls in it; only a
furious gush of water over the broken bed of the river, where many large
rocks rose up and caught the current, hurling the water back in white
foam. Any one who knew not what these hunters could do, would have
laughed if you had told him they were about to ascend that rapid in such
an egg-shell of a canoe!
They began by creeping up, in-shore, as far as they could. Then they
dashed boldly out into the stream, and the current whirled them down
with lightning speed, but suddenly the canoe came to a halt in the very
middle of the stream! Every rock in a rapid has a long tail of still
water below it; the canoe had got into one of these tails or eddies, and
there it rested securely. A few yards higher up there was another rock,
nearer to the opposite bank, and the eddy which tailed off from it came
down a little lower than the rock behind which the canoe now lay. There
was a furious gush of water between them and this eddy, but the men knew
what the canoe could bear, and their nerves were strong and steady.
Across they went like a shot. They were swept down to the extreme point
of the eddy, but a few powerful strokes of the paddle sent them into it,
and next moment they were floating behind the second rock, a few yards
higher up the stream.
Thus they darted from rock to rock, gaining a few yards at each dart,
until at last they swept into the smooth water at the head of the rapid.
Many a time was this repeated that day, for rapids were numerous; their
progress was therefore slow. Sometimes they came to parts of the river
where the stream was very strong and deep, but not broken by rocks, so
that they had no eddies to dart into. In such places Arrowhead and
Heywood walked along the bank, and hauled the canoe up by means of a
line, while Jasper remained in it to steer. This was hard work, for the
banks in places were very steep, in some parts composed of soft mud,
into which the men sank nearly up to their knees, and in other places
covered so thickly with bushes that it was almost impossible to force a
path through them. Jasper and the Indian took the steering-paddle by
turns, and when Heywood required a rest he got into his place in the
middle of the canoe; but they never halted for more than a few minutes
at a time. All day they paddled and dragged the canoe slowly up against
the strong current, and when night closed in they found they had
advanced only three miles on their journey.
The last obstacle they came to that day was a roaring waterfall about
thirty feet high. Here, it might have been thought, was an effectual
check to them at last. Nothing without wings could have gone up that
waterfall, which filled the woods with the thunder of its roar; but the
canoe had no wings, so what was to be done?
To one ignorant of the customs of that country, going on would have
seemed impossible, but nothing can stop the advance of a backwoods
voyager. If his canoe won't carry him, he carries his canoe! Jasper
and his friends did so on the present occasion. They had reached what
is called a portage or carrying-place, and there are hundreds of such
places all over Rupert's Land.
On arriving at the foot of the fall, Heywood set off at once to a spot
from which he could obtain a good view of it, and sat down to sketch,
while his companions unloaded the canoe and lifted it out of the water.
Then Jasper collected together as much of the baggage as he could carry,
and clambered up the bank with it, until he reached the still water at
the top of the fall. Here he laid it down and returned for another
load. Meanwhile Arrowhead lifted the canoe with great ease, placed it
on his shoulders, and bore it to the same place. When all had been
carried up, the canoe was launched into the quiet water a few hundred
yards above the fall, the baggage was replaced in it, and the travellers
were ready to continue their voyage. This whole operation is called
_making_ _a_ _portage_. It took about an hour to make this portage.
Portages vary in length and in numbers. In some rivers they are few and
far between; in others they are so numerous that eight or twelve may
have to be made in a day. Many of the portages are not more than an
eighth of a mile in length, and are crossed for the purpose of avoiding
a waterfall. Some are four or five miles in extent, for many long
reaches in the rivers are so broken by falls and rapids, that the
voyagers find it their best plan to take canoes and baggage on their
backs and cut across country for several miles; thus they avoid rough
places altogether.
Jasper delayed starting for half an hour, in order to give Heywood time
to finish his sketch of the fall. It began to grow dark when they again
embarked, so, after paddling up stream until a convenient place was
found, they put ashore and encamped within sight of another waterfall,
the roar of which, softened by distance, fell upon their ears all that
night like the sound of pleasant music.
CHAPTER SIX.
THE OUTPOST.
On the morning of the second day after the events which I have described
in the last chapter, our three travellers arrived at one of the solitary
outposts belonging to the fur-traders. It stood on the banks of the
river, and consisted of four small houses made of logs. It covered
about an acre of ground, and its only defence was a wall of wooden
posts, about two inches apart, which completely surrounded the
buildings.
"This fort is a namesake of mine," said Jasper, when they first sighted
it; "they call it Jasper's House. I spent a day at it when I was
hereaway two years ago."
"Who is in charge of it?" asked Heywood.
"A gentleman named Grant, I believe," replied Jasper. "That white
painted house in the middle of the square is his. The other house on
the right, painted yellow, is where the men live. Mr Grant has only
got six men, poor fellow, to keep him company; he seldom sees a new face
here from one end of the year to the other. But he makes a trip once a
year to the head post of the district with his furs, and that's a sort
of break to him."
"Are there no women at the place?" inquired the artist.
"Only two," replied Jasper. "At least there were two when I was here
last; they were the wives of two of the men, Indian women they were,
with few brains, and little or nothin' to say; but they were useful
critters for all that, for they could make coats, and trousers, and
moccasins, and mittens, and they were first-rate cooks, besides bein'
handy at almost every kind o' work. They could even use the gun. I've
heard o' them bringin' down a wild goose on the wing, when none o' the
men were at hand to let drive at the passing flock. I do believe that's
Mr Grant himself standin' at the gate o' the fort."
Jasper was right. The master of Jasper's House, a big, hearty-looking
man of about five-and-forty, was standing at the gate of his lonely
residence, leaning against one of the door-posts, with his hands in his
breeches pockets and a short pipe in his mouth. His summer employments
had come to an end,--no Indians had been near the place for many weeks,
and he happened to have nothing at that time to do but eat, smoke, and
sleep; which three occupations he usually attended to with much
earnestness. Mr Grant did not observe the canoe approaching from
below, for at that time his attention was attracted to something up the
river. Suddenly he started, took his pipe from his lips, and, bending
forward, listened with deep, earnest attention. A faint murmur came
floating down on the breeze, sending a thrill of pleasure to the heart
of the solitary man, as well it might, for a new face was a rare sight
at Jasper's House.
At last a loud shout rang through the forest, and five Indian canoes
swept round a point of rocks, and came suddenly into view, the men
tossing their paddles in the air and sending rainbows of spray over
their heads as they made for the landing-place. These were three or
four families of Indians, who had come from a long hunting expedition
laden with rich furs.
Their canoes, though small and light, could hold a wonderful quantity.
In the foremost sat a young savage, with a dark-brown face, glittering
black eyes, and stiff black hair hanging straight down all round his
head, except in front, where it was cut short off just above the eyes in
order to let his face appear. That fellow's canoe, besides himself,
carried his three wives--he was a good hunter, and could afford to have
three. Had he been a bad hunter, he would have had to content himself,
poor fellow, with one! The canoe also contained six or seven heavy
packs of furs; a haunch of venison; six pairs of rabbits; several ducks
and geese; a lump of bear's meat; two little boys and a girl; a large
tent made of deer-skins; four or five tin kettles; two or three
dirty-looking dogs and a gun; several hatchets and a few blankets; two
babies and a dead beaver.
In short, there was almost no end to what that bark canoe could hold;
yet that Indian, with the stiff black hair, could lift it off the
ground, when empty, lay it on his shoulders, and carry it for miles
through the forest. The other canoes were much the same as this one.
In a few minutes they were at the bank, close under the fort, and about
the same time Jasper and his friends leaped ashore, and were heartily
welcomed by Mr Grant, who was glad enough to see Indians, but was
overjoyed to meet with white men.
"Glad to see you, Jasper," cried Mr Grant, shaking the hunter by the
hand; "right glad to see you. It does good to a man to see an old
friend like you turn up so unexpectedly. Happy, also, to meet with you,
Mr Heywood. It's a pleasure I don't often have, to meet with a white
stranger in this wilderness. Pray, come with me to the house."
The fur-trader turned to the Indians, and, saying a few words to them in
their own language, led the way to his residence.
Meanwhile, the Indians had tossed everything out of the canoes upon the
bank, and the spot which had been so quiet and solitary half an hour
before, became a scene of the utmost animation and confusion. While the
women were employed in erecting the tents, the men strode up to the hall
of reception, where Mr Grant supplied them with tobacco and food to
their hearts' content.
These natives, who, owing to the reddish copper-colour of their skins,
are called red-men,--were dressed chiefly in clothes made of deer-skin;
cut much in the same fashion as the garments worn by Jasper Derry. The
women wore short gowns, also made of leather, and leggings of the same
material; but it was noticeable that the women had leggings more
ornamented with gay beads than those of the men, and they wore gaudy
kerchiefs round their necks.
These women were poor looking creatures, however. They had a subdued,
humble look, like dogs that are used to being kicked; very different
from the bold free bearing of the men. The reason of this was, that
they were treated by the men more as beasts of burden than companions.
Women among the North American Indians have a hard time of it, poor
creatures. While their lords and masters are out at the chase, or idly
smoking round the fire, the Indian women are employed in cutting
firewood and drawing water. Of course, they do all the cooking, and, as
the eating always continues, so the cooking never stops. When these
more severe labours are over, they employ their time in making and
ornamenting coats, leggings, and moccasins--and very beautiful work they
can turn out of their hands. On the voyage, the women use the paddle as
well as the men, and, in journeying through the woods, they always carry
or drag the heaviest loads. For all this they get few thanks, and often
when the husbands become jealous, they get severely beaten and kicked.
It is always thus among savages; and it would seem that, just in
proportion as men rise from the savage to the civilised state, they
treat their women better. It is certain that when man embraces the
blessed gospel of Christ and learns to follow the law of love, he places
woman not only on a level with himself, but even above himself, and
seeks her comfort and happiness before he seeks his own.
Few of the Red-men of North America are yet Christians, therefore they
have no gallantry about them--no generous and chivalrous feelings
towards the weaker sex. Most of their women are downtrodden and
degraded.
The first night at Jasper's House was spent in smoking and talking.
Here our friend Jasper Derry got news of Marie. To his immense delight
he learned that she was well, and living with her father at Fort Erie,
near the plains, or prairies as they are called, on the Saskatchewan
River. A long journey still lay before our bold hunter, but that was
nothing to him. He felt quite satisfied to hear that the girl of his
heart was well, and still unmarried.
Next day the serious business of trading commenced at the outpost.
"I should like to get that powder and ball before you begin to trade
with the Indians, Mr Grant," said Jasper, after breakfast was
concluded, "I'm anxious to be off as soon as possible."
"No, no, Jasper, I'll not give you a single charge of powder or an ounce
of lead this day. You must spend another night with me, my man; I have
not had half my talk out with you. You have no need to hurry, for Marie
does not know you are coming, so of course she can't be impatient."
Mr Grant said this with a laugh, for he knew the state of Jasper's
heart, and understood why he was so anxious to hasten away.
"Besides," continued the fur-trader, "Mr Heywood has not half finished
the drawing of my fort, which he began yesterday, and I want him to make
me a copy of it."
"I shall be delighted to do so," said the artist, who was busily engaged
in arranging his brushes and colours.
"Well, well," cried Jasper. "I suppose I must submit. I fancy _you_
have no objection to stop here another day, Arrowhead?"
The Indian nodded gravely, as he squatted down on the floor and began to
fill his pipe.
"That's settled, then," said Jasper, "so I'll go with you to the store,
if you'll allow me."